Asking for guidelines in answering questions

[Ranchomama 1]

Hi guys! I really appreciate it if you would take time and help me with my inquiry. A little background, I'm a US Citizen and I married my husband last year, we have 2 kids together. (my kids don't qualify for the CRBA because I wasn't able to stay in the US for 1 year continuously). I am filling for my husband and kids. I have no job here and haven't filed taxes in the US. We have enough savings and my joint sponsor makes more than the poverty guideline. Here are my questions

1. Should I use my last name already? I wanted to use my maiden name in filing because all my ID's are still in my maiden name. Would it make a difference on our case if I retained my maiden name?

2.If filing for DCF should I put in my US or Philippine address?

3. If my joint sponsor meets the poverty requirements should I still seek a 2nd sponsor for a stronger case or is 1 enough?

4. What to put in my country of domicile if I'm currently in the Philippines but plan to go back to the US as soon as this gets approved?

5. I haven't filed taxes because I didn't work in the US and have been in the Philippines for so long, what should I put in the I-1864?

6. How to file for DCF? Should I just go to the Embassy?

7. I've been in the US for so long so I'm worried about the domicile issue, I have bank accounts in the US and have a license, I don't know how else to establish domicile.

I'm really sorry for the long post. I just want to do this as accurately and correctly as possible since I want to be able to move back to the US with my family.Thank you for the replies!!! God bless us all!

[Marrienne 112]

Hello!!
I will try to answer some questions since I am doing DCF too but in another country. Let me tell you what I did because we are in a very similar situation.

1. Should I use my last name already? I wanted to use my maiden name in filing because all my ID's are still in my maiden name. Would it make a difference on our case if I retained my maiden name?

If your passport and all your documents are in your maiden name, use that. In the forms they will give you a chance to state any other names including married names. Which name does your PASSPORT have?? For instance when I was baptized, they called out two names during the ceremony. My middle name never got written down yet all my family calls me by that. Since it was not stated anywhere in my papers, I filed using the name as written in my passport.

2.If filing for DCF should I put in my US or Philippine address?

There is adequate space for your CURRENT address (you need to be a resident of the country to do DCF) and there is space for your US address. Both are required. Since we have not rented an appt yet in the USA, we put down my in-laws address as the US address (we will be living a few blocks from them no matter which appt we decide on anyways). For DCF purposes you MUST provide your address in the Philippines. My USC also was asked for his Legal Residence Permit to prove he qualifies for DCF.

3. If my joint sponsor meets the poverty requirements should I still seek a 2nd sponsor for a stronger case or is 1 enough?

One should be more than enough. Don't forget if he is married, the wife must fill our I-864A. Do not overstate, do not offer them info unless they ask for it. Sometimes it is more trouble than good

4. What to put in my country of domicile if I'm currently in the Philippines but plan to go back to the US as soon as this gets approved?

Current domicile. Philippines. You DO NOT get to do DCF if you are NOT in Philippines over six months (and have a residence permit as most countries require that).

5. I haven't filed taxes because I didn't work in the US and have been in the Philippines for so long, what should I put in the I-1864?

My USC hubby hasn't either because he has been unemployed since 2013. We put in the appropriate paragraph from the IRS website that states that people earning less than X amount, are not required to file taxes and accompanied that with a note explained WHY he hasn't earned any income. (We live in Greece which for the last few years is RAVAGED by the economic crisis and they are no jobs!)

6. How to file for DCF? Should I just go to the Embassy?

Yes!
We gathered all our papers as per their instructions (have extras just in case, because sometimes their websites are not clear). Namely:
I-130 petition(s). We filed for 3 people so three petitions.
Everybody's passports and at least 2 photocopies of those.
Marriage license, original, translation (if it is not in English already) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and two copies.
Divorce Decree(s) (we were both married before, so as above, original, translations and two copies - make sure these are the FINAL ones)
G-325A plus photographs are requested for all.
Have everything photocopied. For EACH petition you need a SET of these. We didn't know but the Embassy was really nice and they photocopied them themselves. The instructions were not so clear (that or I had a blonde moment now that I think about it hahaha)

7. I've been in the US for so long so I'm worried about the domicile issue, I have bank accounts in the US and have a license, I don't know how else to establish domicile.

You just need to prove sincere intent. Email possible landlords, schools, daycares and employers and print those e-mails out to show you are looking into moving. Shipping quotes for your stuff, if you selling possessions, then print the ads you placed. If you own a house and you are selling, print that ad too.
The bank accounts and license help too. This is also in the discretion of the each Embassy. They might think OK, or they might need more paperwork. They will tell you if they do and what paperwork will be helpful.


I hope all this helps!! I am no expert but this is what we did. We got our I-130 approved in 8 days, now we are waiting for everything else to come through!!
Good luck!!!

[Marrienne 112]

** Note: The US required USCs to file taxes for income earned abroad under certain categories. If you fall under that category as stated in the IRS site, you must file backtaxes!